Do something Scary?

Kathy Sierra has pointed out another mind blowing concept:

Eleanor Roosevelt said“Do one thing every day that scares you.”

I don't know about the every day thing, but taking risks takes practice, and if we keep doing the same things we already know, in the same way, our willingness to dare to be different atrophies. … Most of us don't want to be labeled “risk averse”. We don't want to take stupid risks, but we don't want to be all Who Moved My Blackberry either. So consider this my quarterly reminder (to myself, more than anyone else) to–as Eleanor Roosevelt also said:

You must do the things you think you cannot do.

I love this!

This is part of keeping life exciting and staying young! Kids are always doing something scary and new! It is adults that lose the desire to try new things and do new things! That is why I so love the Internet and the blogosphere. Although I live in my small town of 5,000 I am exposed to the best in thought!

I can listen to podcasts to teach me new things. Last week, I learned how to make multi page posters in Excel. I've used it three times in the last week, it is really cool! After I got past the, “Why would I do that?” and “It is so stupid to want to do that!” I got to “Wow! I can really use this!”

When we do things that are scary we can better relate to our students. It is scary to get out of our comfort zone. But we are grateful to those who guide us into new territories that we need to explore.

Teachers must continue to learn. Learning can be scary. So, get out there and learn something scary.

Here are some options guaranteed to get you out of your comfort zone:

Take the new Web 2.0 book that I recommended earlier and try something in the book.

Find a podcast and start listening:

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Vicki Davis

Vicki Davis

Vicki Davis is a full-time classroom teacher and IT Director in Georgia, USA. She is Mom of three, wife of one, and loves talking about the wise, transformational use of technology for teaching and doing good in the world. She hosts the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast which interviews teachers around the world about remarkable classroom practices to inspire and help teachers. Vicki focuses on what unites us -- a quest for truly remarkable life-changing teaching and learning. The goal of her work is to provide actionable, encouraging, relevant ideas for teachers that are grounded in the truth and shared with love. Vicki has been teaching since 2002 and blogging since 2005. Vicki has spoken around the world to inspire and help teachers reach their students. She is passionate about helping every child find purpose, passion, and meaning in life with a lifelong commitment to the joy and responsibility of learning. If you talk to Vicki for very long, she will encourage you to "Relate to Educate" or "innovate like a turtle" or to be "a remarkable teacher." She loves to talk to teachers who love their students and are trying to do their best. Twitter is her favorite place to share and she loves to make homemade sourdough bread and cinnamon rolls and enjoys running half marathons with her sisters. You can usually find her laughing with her students or digging into a book.

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Vicki Davis writes The Cool Cat Teacher Blog for classroom teachers everywhere
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